Buying guide for Best men's earmuffs
When fall and winter arrive and the chill sets in, it's time to pile on the layers. You might have your coat, gloves, and scarf, but what about your ears? With a pair of men's earmuffs, you'll never have cold ears again!
It can be tough to choose a pair of earmuffs, especially if this is your first time buying them. Men's earmuffs come in a wide range of shapes, colors, and materials, so a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works.
Types of men’s earmuffs
Standard earmuffs
Standard men's earmuffs follow the typical design of two pads linked by a band. Most contemporary earmuffs have a band that sits low around the back of the head, but you can still find some options with the classic over-the-head band style. The former option is significantly more versatile, however, because it makes it easier to wear a hat with your earmuffs and is also more comfortable for people who wear glasses.
Bandless earmuffs
Bandless earmuffs consist of a pair of pads that are completely unconnected. Each one is designed to fit on your ear, without the need for a band to hold them in place. Not only are they more discreet than standard earmuffs but they're also more comfortable to wear with a tight-fitting hat.
Headphone earmuffs
Headphone earmuffs are part headphones, part ear warmers. They look just like standard earmuffs but have a speaker in each ear, so you can also use them to listen to music. Some options have a wire that plugs into the headphone jack of a phone, tablet, or MP3 player. More high-tech options use Bluetooth to wirelessly connect to smart devices.
Noise-cancelling earmuffs
You can also find noise-cancelling men's earmuffs that partially block out ambient sounds. These are excellent for people who struggle with loud noises due to hearing or sensory issues or people who work in noisy environments, such as a building site. Since these look more like regular earmuffs than hearing protection, nobody will know you're using them for their noise-cancelling properties.
Did you know?
Standard men's earmuffs – even noise-cancelling varieties – can’t safeguard your hearing. You'll need another type of ear protection for that.
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Key considerations
Material
Men's earmuffs are made from a range of materials. Inside the earmuffs is a framework that's usually made of plastic or metal. This is surrounded by padding and warmer, softer materials. The inside of the earmuffs – the side that sits next to your ears – is often made of a synthetic fleece material that’s warm and feels pleasant against the skin. The exterior is usually made from a denser, more windproof or weatherproof material, such as wool or acrylic yarn, nylon, or a range of other materials.
Warmth
The main reason for wearing earmuffs is to keep your ears toasty, so warmth is important. However, depending on where you live, you may or may not want them to be too warm. It rarely drops to freezing in coastal Southern California, so extremely warm earmuffs would be overkill. On the other hand, you'll want those muffs as warm as you can get them if you live in Alaska or North Dakota.
Unfortunately, earmuffs don't have any kind of warmth rating system, so all you can do is look at the material and the amount of padding and judge the warmth from that. Well-padded earmuffs will obviously be warmer than those without much insulation, but these can look bulkier on your head and might not fit neatly under hats or hoods. That said, some earmuffs contain several layers of thinner varieties of insulation, so they're great for use in very cold climates but still have a sleek appearance.
Color
Men's earmuffs tend to come in more muted colors than those designed for kids or women. The vast majority are either black or gray. These neutral tones are extremely versatile and go with almost anything. Plus, they don't draw too much attention to the fact that you're wearing earmuffs. However, if bold colors are more your style or you want your earmuffs to be more noticeable, don't worry, You can find colorful men's earmuffs if you shop around a bit more.
Style
As with color, most men's earmuffs are fairly simple and toned down in style. You won't find a whole lot of fuzzy ones or earmuffs sporting bunny faces. Again, this is what makes them discreet and versatile and enables you to wear them with almost anything. However, it can be disappointing if you're looking for something a bit bolder or more fashion forward. There are some flamboyant men's earmuffs to be found, so don't be discouraged if that's what you're looking for.
Expert Tip
It's possible to wear earbud-style headphones under a pair of standard earmuffs.
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Men’s earmuff prices
Inexpensive: Basic earmuffs start at less than $10. These are fine for occasional use, but the quality isn't up to par with more expensive options, so they might not last very long with regular use.
Mid-range: Earmuffs that cost between $15 and $25 are warm, durable, and will suit most users. You only really need to pay more if you want a designer brand or you're looking for a particular feature, such as headphone earmuffs.
Expensive: Even high-end earmuffs rarely cost more than $40 to $60, though we have found some options around the $100 mark.
"Some earmuffs are waterproof, which is great if you work outdoors or live where it rains a lot."
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Tips
Consider whether you need foldable earmuffs. If you're often in and out of stores running errands, or you work both indoors and outdoors, earmuffs that fold up small enough to fit in a pocket are a real space- and time-saver.
Pick earmuffs that work for your specific needs. For example, if you wear glasses, choose earmuffs with a band that goes behind the head rather than over the top.
Check that the earmuffs you choose fit correctly. While some earmuffs come in a single size, that doesn't mean they'll fit everyone comfortably. You might need to measure around the part of your head where the earmuffs will sit to find a pair that fits.
- Think about how regularly you'll use your earmuffs. The cheapest pairs out there won't be constructed well enough to stand up to daily use through the winter months. It's worth splurging if you know you'll be wearing your earmuffs often.
FAQ
Q. Can I wear earmuffs while running or will they fall off?
A. It's possible to wear a well-fitting pair of earmuffs while running or jogging, but a loose-fitting pair is likely to slide down from the movement. If you're looking for earmuffs to wear while jogging, it's best to measure your head before buying to get a secure fit.
Q. How do I clean my earmuffs?
A. Some men's earmuffs are machine washable, but if yours aren't, or if they didn't come with washing instructions, you can gently hand-wash them. In either case, you should air-dry them because they're unlikely to stand up to tumbling in a dryer.
Q. Will I still be able to hear my surroundings well while wearing earmuffs?
A. Unless you buy noise-cancelling or acoustic earmuffs, you'll be able to hear your surroundings almost as clearly as not wearing earmuffs. As such, they're suitable for situations in which you need to be aware of what's happening around you.
Q. Are men's earmuffs adjustable?
A. The vast majority of earmuffs are not adjustable. However, you can find a small number that are.
